Double the Chocolate Chips Cookie Recipe

Due to popular demand, zee recipe for my "Double the Chocolate Chips Cookies!"

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup shortening (I use these little pre-measured Crisco shortening packs)
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups Quaker Rolled Oats
• 2 BAGS semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). 
2. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat shortening, sugars and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs and beat until light and fluffy.
4. Gradually stir in flour mixture. 
5. Stir in rolled oats and chocolate chips. (I use my hands for this!) 
6. Teaspoon onto baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or till golden. I let cookies cool on sheets for 2 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

I hate 'fessing up, but this recipe is actually a twist on Hilary Clinton's cookie recipe! I've been making these since she had her bake-off with Barbara Bush some years ago. (Okay, I just looked it up and it was 1992!! Thanks for finding this, Mom!) I just double the original amount of chocolate chips she calls for, hence the name of my cookies. Also, this is one of the few recipes I will actually follow to a T - because it never fails! Makes about 64 cookies (16 cookies per 4 cookie sheets). Once cooled, I stick them in a freezer bag and freeze them. Then when I want a few, I simply pop 'em in the microwave for about 10 seconds. The chocolate chips melt just right and are sooo good! 

*Still perfecting the White Chocolate Macadamia cookies pictured. They're good, but don't have my stamp of approval...yet. Lucky for Shrek, I will continue my quest to perfect them over time ;)

Root Canal Survival 101

I survived my first root canal. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for my bank account. I kid, but man, those suckers are pricey!

Per my usual, I waited until the pain was unbearable to schedule the root canal - about a month after my dentist recommended the procedure. I guess an old filling had cracked and created a monstrous cavity that my dentist attempted to fix with another filling, but to no avail. I needed the more extreme remedy. (For what this remedy entails, visit this link.)

Prior to, I had no idea that root canals were performed by root canal specialists, called Endodontists. For extreme cases like mine, these are the guys to see. Dr. Jeffrey Krupp on Bascom Ave near the San Jose/Los Gatos border was recommended by my regular dentist and is fantastic. Not that I have anyone to compare him to, but I was put so at ease throughout the entire process thanks to Dr. Krupp and his team that I if I absolutely have to get another root canal, I'll go back to him.

It helped that Dr. Krupp appeared seasoned and to know what he was talking about. My consultation involved several x-rays of and a review of the work already done on my tooth. With the x-ray in front of me, I could follow along as he explained exactly why this was now a necessary procedure and what it would involve. (Later, as I was "numbing" I heard him tell another prospective patient in for a consult that they didn't needed a root canal at this time and why, which earned my respect. I'd heard of some dentists getting patients to agree to unnecessary work just to bill your insurance. No red flags here, though!) Dr. Krupp also assured me that he would do his best to ensure my comfort before, during, and after the procedure.

He stayed true to his word.

1. As I reclined, a pillow was placed under my knees as well as another to support my neck. Clearly I was going to be here for awhile...
2. Several iPod Shuffles were available for patients to borrow, though I came prepared and brought my own. I asked if they were available so that we (his patients) can't hear drilling. He said no, it's so we can't hear him cuz he's a talker. Ha! P.S. Tunes totally help pass the time and drown out the drilling.
   
3. I was offered a blanket if my feet were cold due to the air conditioning
   
4. I was invited to could kick off my sandals if I wanted and told, jokingly, that the foot rub and pedicure would commence shortly. "We're building a wall to hold rows of nail polish to select in the waiting room!" he joked as my mouth was swabbed with numbing gel.
   
5. A glass of cold water (okay, it was in a Dixie Cup but still much appreciated!) was offered to me after my first round of novocaine. (I had two rounds to ensure I was completely numb.) Speaking of...
   
6. Dr. Krupp administers novocaine super...super...super...slowly. Under any other circumstance I would describe it as "painfully" slow, but there really was no pain as was his intention with the slow administration. At first I was startled when the needle was stuck in the back of my mouth and just left there. I'm sure he saw the terrified look I had, eyes wide, transfixed on the needle because he quickly assured me it was for my own comfort. It reminded me of acupuncture.
   
7. I got a prescription for Vicodin for any discomfort I felt after the procedure

A few other details to note:

1. The procedure is really long. Well, mine was. Two hours for one back molar from the time numbing gel was applied to receiving my prescriptions and paying. I know because I sent Shrek a text right before I got numb and checked the time as I walked to billing.
2. My jaw was seriously sore and majorly stiff from keeping my mouth open for so long.
3. The procedure is seriously pricey: $1300 for a molar. That's if you don't have insurance. Actually, for "being such a good patient," Dr. Krupp threw in a $300 permanent filling at no cost, so my work actually totaled more like $1600. ...Not to mention the permanent crown I still need to protect my root canal, which is standard procedure for a molar. These babies run $1000-$2000 a piece! I am so thankful I have Dental Insurance! Even if it only covers 60% it's better than nothing.
   
4. This is for the ladies. It was a surprise to me when I received a prescription for antibiotics that I would have to take for the following 6 days. The reason? To quell any further infections. The real bummer? It interferes with the effectiveness of the pill as a form of birth control, so be warned.
   
5. This is for anyone. Antibiotics also interfere with the good bacteria in your stomach. I ended up desperately seeking probiotics to keep my "stomach" in check. I picked up Sustenex, a probiotic in capsule form, at the local Walgreens for $19 and it worked wonders! I was back to my regular (har har) self within 24 hours.
6. Advil is your best friend

To sum, after my wisdom teeth extraction and this root canal, I feel like specialists are the way to go. Even though they are a bit more pricey, they get in, get out and get the job done. And, in minimal time and with minimal (if any!) pain.

If you're interested, Dr.Krupp is at

3994 S Bascom Ave
Suite 5
San Jose, CA 95124-2663
(408) 371-1444

Though, you may need a referral slip from your dentist to see him.

An Apple A Day...

Last week I rekindled a love affair with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Dessert Apples. We bought an Apple Pie Apple on a whim one afternoon and were back the next evening for an additional 5 - 3 Apple Pie Apples, 1 Rocky Road and 1 Snickers. (It was buy 4 get 1 free!)

If you haven't already tried one, DO IT! See all their flavors here.

Retail for about $5 a pop. Visit their website here for locations.

Seven, What Happened?

At one time, Seven Restaurant and Lounge on the Alameda reigned supreme for dinner and drinks in my book. Their food was seriously delish, service top-notch, and atmosphere cosmopolitan. Situated less than a block away from the Shark Tank (HP Pavillion) and a stone's throw from downtown San Jose, it was a popular destination before a game, for a business lunch, or on a Friday or Saturday evening. I am saddened to report that this is no longer true and it appears those who used to pack the bar and tables have come to the same conclusion.

Not sure which came first: the change of ownership notification transferring into a lack of customers (from experience, many were regulars), or the lack of customers prompting the change of ownership. Either way, both were noticeable last Saturday. Shrek and I were set to meet up with his brother and sister-in-law for dinner and drinks around 7 p.m. The first thing I noticed upon arrival was the change of ownership sign posted in the window. The second was that the bar was completely empty. Third, there was no hostess to be seen and, fourth, the bartender and two servers hanging at the bar eyed us but made no attempt to greet us. Ideally, we would've liked to check-in for our reservation. Though, after quickly taking in the scene we realized getting a table wouldn't be a problem and thus made our way to the bar. The bartender quickly warmed to us and apologized, claiming she didn't realize the hostess had stepped away from her post. From her we learned that the restaurant, under new ownership, was going to be undergoing a transformation in early September. Plans are to close for a week and re-open as an(other) Asian fusion restaurant. Just what San Jose needs.... Though I'm curious and will probably check it out. 

Shrek ordered a double Vodka Cranberry and Sweet Potato Fries while I enjoyed their signature Seven Cocktail and a crab cake - both of which I've ordered in the past and are still excellent. (Side note: my mom makes phenomenal FRESH crab cakes (see photos) so I am pretty picky when it comes to my approving them. These are on par.) The brother and sister-in-law eventually joined us and we, again, attempted to check-in for our reservation. This time the hostess was present behind the podium, but she was sitting with her head down, engrossed in a book. After exchanging looks with one another, someone finally asked if the reading was any good. We were quickly seated.

We all squeezed into a booth that is really space enough for two, maybe 3 persons, but we got cozy and made it work for four. More cocktails and crab cakes were ordered, as well as a dozen oysters on the half-shell. Various entrees, a bottle of wine, desserts, cognacs and coffees later, the general consensus was that the food was still stellar, but the service was disappointing. The hostess was just downright awkward. I personally didn't care for my pork tenderloin entree but Shrek's sister-in-law, who ordered the same, liked it. I took it home simply to avoid wasting $26. I figured Shrek would at least nibble on it, but I ended up discarding it four days later, still untouched. I really liked Shrek's chicken and potatoes, though, and would order those if given the chance again.

If you decide to check this place out before it's gone (for the food, I'm assuming), I recommend ordering Shrek's chicken and mashed potatoes dish followed by the creme broulee. Oh, and crab cakes to start, of course! All three of these courses were great. It's really a shame about the service. Though, I think perhaps the new owners are partially to blame. Each employee who spoke of the transition mentioned not knowing where they fit come September and, unfortunately, it showed. It's like they'd already checked-out. 

Though I hate to write this, for the price and if I get a say next time, I'm pushing to dine someplace else. Even with splitting the bill between couples, we walked out minus $160 less what we had at the start of the evening. That's the equivalent of groceries for at least a week right there! I don't mind splurging on special occasions, but I would at least like to anticipate going back again - or at least look forward to the leftovers!

For more info, visit their website here.

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Addendum. Please note: this is an unbiased review of a restaurant from a semi-regular customer's point of view. When $300+ is spent on dinner for four, I expect to pay top dollar for great food, which we got and which I expressed. But I also expect great service, which we did not. For me, dining out is 50% food and 50% the experience. Hopefully someone with a vested interest in the restaurant and the authority to make changes will read it and make the necessary changes for it to be a favorite dining destination of mine, once again. Thanks for reading

In-N-Out, Here I Come

I wrote this negative review of Santana Row's The Counter about a year ago and haven't been back since. Was thinking maybe I should give it another go-round since it was primarily the service which turned me off and this can change in a year. (I am big on eating out for the experience as much as I am for the food!) Although, the food was a bit bland for my taste and for the price, something like $36 for burgers and fries! In recent weeks, however, I've rekindled a love for In-N-Out's Double-Double, so I don't think I'll be back to The Counter anytime soon. 

For those of you who don't know what a Double-Double is: 

1. You're missing out.

2. Imagine: 2 patties, 2 slices of cheese served with the freshest ingredients you can get on a burger. (See photo.) I think it retails for like three bucks, but I didn't really pay attentions since we ended up winning 4 FREE In-N-Out burger coupons for our section being the loudest at a recent Earthquakes' (soccer) game.

For a "fast food" chain, In-N-Out takes a bit long. I think we waited about 10 minutes from the time we ordered to to the time we picked it up, but I don't mind because all of the ingredients are FRESH. Also, the restaurant is spotless. At least, the location by AMC 20 was when I was there. While waiting for my number to be called, I observed that directly after diners upped and left their table, an In-N-Out employee would pop by and give everything a thorough wipe down and sweep under the table before waiting customers had a chance to sit down. 

I think I'll go back and use my remaining 2 coupons today. Last time we got 2 Double-Doubles, fries, and a shake for $3 total - nice!

The Actual Piece de Resistance

Over the past year, Shrek and I have invested substantial time (in the form of multiple visits to Best Buy, Macys, Ikea, Costco, and Sleep Train) and cash into transforming our bedroom into our favorite space. 

Our oasis, if you will. 

Recently, we upgraded our bed to a queen size Posturepedic Daindridge Plush mattress along with a beautiful bed frame. (Before we were on a box spring.) We also - drum roll, please - invested in an air conditioner! 

After tossing, turning, and sweltering in last summer's relentless heat, we felt this was a necessary purchase. We also figured it a terrific deal when faced with upgrading apartments altogether just for the luxury of AC. Instead, we opted to pay Costco $429 upfront whereas upgrading to a newer apartment with AC would've been an additional $429 per month. 

Absolutely love that this compact little portable AC by Sharp is "Library Quiet" yet keeps our room at a cool 64 (or whatever we choose to set) degrees. This is cold enough to allow me to comfortably sleep under our "coverlet" and down comforter combo. Even when it's a miserable 90+ degrees in our living room!

Unlike many other portable ACs out there, this one requires zero drainage. Hence, no monitoring or worries that it will start a flood in the middle of the night. 

La Piece de Resistance

On a complete fluke I was able to pick up the final piece to complete my Calvin Klein bedding collection, a feat I had altogether dismissed due to the ridiculous price tag. $315 for a coverlet?! (Also known as a light blanket.)

Last weekend I was at Macys Home when a sales associate saw me wistfully admiring the coverlet. When she approached I inquired how much it was since I noticed the collection was on sale. (Although when is Macys ever not having a sale?) "It's on sale for eighty-five dollars." 

!!! I immediately said I'd take it.

However, when we got to the register it rung up for $249.99 - what I could only guess was the actual sales price (and which I later confirmed online). On a whim I asked if I could have the price she quoted me. Without hesitating she agreed and adjusted the price. To boot she accepted my -15% coupon. After swiping my Macys card, I skipped out of the store with a $315 blanket for $80. 

Where to Wine

One of my favorite South Bay escapes is Savannah-Chanelle Winery located in the Santa Cruz Mountains just above Saratoga.

The Setting: After driving between towering Redwoods to reach the estate, you'll come upon the tasting room. Rustic and homey, their tasting room is not at all like the commercialized Spanish-style tasting room-villas that dot Napa, Sonoma and Livermore. I really appreciate how laid back and friendly the staff is, although on weekends it can be difficult to find space at their tasting bar as they have become a popular destination. They are, however, quite good at accommodating all visitors and more often than not, a live pianist is playing some happy tune.

After tasting (they only offer 1 flight of 6 which is $10 pp) head up the hill a little ways where you're free to roam the property. Walk among the Zinfandel and Chardonnay vines or picnic with a chilled bottle of wine on a hot summer day. They've got chilled bottles and let you borrow glasses provided you leave your ID as insurance that they'll be returned. Each time, rain or shine, I find the setting tranquil and inviting. It's a place to unwind and recharge before heading back to the urban sprawl in which I live and work.

The Deal: I actually wasn't much of a wine enthusiast before this place, even after tasting in Napa and drinking plenty in Italy and France. (I know, go figure, right?) However, after sampling their wine I became a member after my first visit. The perks of being a member are great! For about $45 every 3 months, we (Shrek and I) receive 2 bottles of wine, which easily retail for $35+ a piece and are often limited edition. We also receive a -10% or -15% discount (I can't remember which but it's one of those) when purchasing their wine and merchandise. They've got some awesome mustards which are always out for sampling. My favorite is the Honey Champagne while Shrek favors the Jalapeno mustard. I was also introduced to Cotswold Cheese here, although I discovered Trader Joes carries it for less.

The best perk that we've most certainly taken advantage of is tasting for free. Each time we visit we each get our own glass and taste about 6 wines (though depending on who pours and what's available, we've tasted up to 8) which is a $20 value since it's $10 per person per flight. We're also welcome to each bring a guest who tastes for free, saving $40 whenever we do so. For us and how often we go, the membership has definitely been worth the price. Visit their website here for directions. (Other than directions, their website is under construction.)

Cake-fate

I tried to hold out until at least after I returned from my morning workout, but once I loaded these photos it was over: I HAD to have a bite (or a few!) of last night's leftover banana cake.

Special ordered this from Sweet Passions Bakery in San Jose on a friend's recommendation. (And persistence!) Though I loved what I taste-tested at their cupcake stand in Valley Fair Mall (in front of Restoration Hardware and J. Crew - Go! They give free samples of mini cupcakes and sell full-sized ones for $3.50 each), I was going to have to pass simply because their bakery and storefront closes at 2 p.m. daily. It just wasn't possible for me to get over there from work in time to pick it up from the bakery and drop it off at home before returning to work. Without missing a beat, my friend graciously offered to pick the cake up and drop it off at our apartment. Such service! (And friendship!) However, there was also an issue of space - being I didn't have enough in the fridge to store a 7" 7 layer banana cake. Again, my friend stepped in and offered to pick the cake up and store it in her fridge until I could pick it up after work. 

In the end, she did end up delivering the cake to our apartment. That's how much she believed in this cake. ...It also helps that she's in between jobs (on her whim, not her employer's!), the bakery is 5 minutes from her house, she just got back from vacation the night before picking up the cake so her fridge was empty and she just happened to have a dentist appointment at an office 3 blocks from my apartment the afternoon we needed the cake and Shrek could meet her during his lunch. Obviously, it was cake-fate.

I was slightly apprehensive about how the cake was going to go over. Though Shrek and I loved it, we were dining with two kids who may or may not like bananas + 6 adults "on diets." Plus, we'd just stuffed ourselves silly with our favorite Chinese food. (To blog about later). 

Silly me! The cake was perfect and drew awesome reviews. With real bananas, whipped cream and the spongy cake part made out of banana bread it was pleasant and light and we had no trouble eating it up. I was pleasantly surprised that everyone ate their entire slice and that the layers stayed put when I served it onto plates!

Will definitely be ordering other future cakes from this place. Check out their website here for their location and contact info, menu, prices, and to order online. Shrek's 7" 7 layer banana cake with fresh sliced bananas and cream was $35 and supposed to serve 15-20 people. I think in the end it served about 10, including our neighbors who received half of our leftovers. No one else would take any home because they complained they'd eat it all! :D

Fresh and Easy Cucumber Salad

I recently whipped this up and shared it as a side at Shrek's parents' home on a warm summer day and, mmm, was it a hit! Cool, crisp, and although sweet, it has a little bite to it due to the jalapenos I add.

Ingredients:*

2 cucumbers, washed and sliced

1/2 red onion, sliced

2 Jalapenos, sliced

1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 cup Vegetable Oil

1/2 cup White Wine Vinegar

1 cup White Sugar

1 1/2 cup water Water

2 TBS Jalapeno juice (from jar)

*Please note that all ingredient measurements are approximate as I don't actually measure any thing out. I'm more of a pour straight from the bottle and mix after everything is added kind of girl. Therefore, I recommend altering the ingredients and corresponding measurements to suit taste and serving size. The way I introduce it above serves about 4.

For all the slicing I use my Cuisinart Food Processor. It makes the salad a breeze to make! The sliced cucumbers, red onion, and jalapenos go into a bowl or tupperware. Drizzle vegetable oil, cider, vinegar and jalapeno juice. Add sugar liberally and then water. Stir and I recommend letting it sit in the fridge for a good 4 hours before serving.

Voila!

Pan Pacific Seattle - I Won't Be Back

Okay, the good stuff first. The Pan Pacific we stayed at over the 4th of July weekend is a sparkling high-rise that sits atop a Whole Foods in Seattle's South Lake Union District. To aid Shrek's addiction, there is a Starbucks directly next door. A 24-hour gym (not the chain but their own fitness center that is open 24-hours a day) is located above their spa with some of the newest equipment I've used. The hotel itself is walking distance to downtown shopping. (Hellooo flagship Nordstrom with a Chanel and Gucci inside!) Actually, the hotel is within walking distance of many of Seattle's landmarks - the Space Needle and EMP, Pike Place, waterfront and the like. That is, if you don't have a boyfriend with you who melts in 80+ degrees. (We cabbed to dinner at the Wild Ginger.) 

Finally, if you stay during the 4th of July weekend and are willing to shell out $350+ a night, you have got one of the best seats in the house for viewing fireworks from your bed or the large soaking tub. (Sliding screens can open the bathroom right into the bedroom.) Plus, you don't have to fight traffic or lay claim to seating 12 hours a head of time, as we spotted some doing along Alki Beach.

 After the finale, Shrek simply closed the curtains and jumped back into bed. Me? While it was a lovely hotel with a great location, I will most likely look for a different hotel at which to stay, and here's why based on the following criteria:

1. Comfort. I'd have to bring my own pillow. Theirs are down-filled and it was like sleeping on mush. I experienced a restless sleep trying to adjust the darn thing to a somewhat decent level of comfort throughout the night. I awoke exhausted with a sore neck and back. Maybe that's how they get you into their spa for a massage, because I was sooo tempted but didn't have time.

2. Cleanliness. We stayed in an Executive King Suite which was lovely, but the floor was sticky. I put my socks on for most of the time I was padding around the room. 

3. Acoustics. The walls are annoyingly thin. I could hear the party's conversations in the room next to us. Granted, they were drunk for most of the night and, therefore, speaking at unnecessary decibel levels. (Maybe to be heard over the girls who were shrieking with each firework's ka-boom!). But, the next morning, too, I could hear them talking about what they wanted to do that day and then run the shower and flush the toilet. In a $350 per night suite, really?!

4. Service. When we made our reservations, Shrek selected their more pricey Preferences Package in order to guarantee us a suite overlooking South Lake Union for the fireworks show. This was opposed to the $225 Advance Purchase reservation which initially drew us to the hotel. (Plus, the glowing reviews onYelp.com.) The Preferences Package was $349. In addition to guaranteeing us a room with a view, it allowed us late check-out (2 p.m. instead of noon) plus any 2 of the following:

-breakfast for 2 in their restaurant

-automatic upgrade to next room category upon check-in

-a $25 Starbucks gift card

-complimentary valet parking for 1 car

Only, upon check-in it slipped our minds that we had preferences to select (we'd actually tried to select them at the time of booking but were informed that we would select them upon check-in) and the front desk didn't bother to ask us which we'd like during our stay. It wasn't a huge deal since we didn't have a car that would be charged an overnight parking fee and we'd read online reviews that the food wasn't great and many guests actually took advantage of Whole Foods for breakfast. It was only the next morning when hunger pangs struck that I realized we didn't have breakfast vouchers or the gift card to Starbucks. In our rush to fuel up, we ended up just getting the Starbucks card and absentmindedly forfeited a good portion of our upgraded reservation. 

5. Service, again. Upon check-in we also noted that they were offering a special 4th of July Package for $299/night for a room with a view. ($249 for one without.) This package included champagne, cupcakes, and breakfast for two, among other perks. Why were we not offered this when we called to book and mentioned that we were specifically coming to catch the fireworks on the Fourth of July?!

This stay just makes me realize what a great find the Intercontinental Hotel SF is (especially with their CA Staycation package). I hope they build one I can stay at in Seattle!